Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Aluminum or steel frame?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by SeanLyman, Oct 28, 2018.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Oct 28, 2018 #1
    SeanLyman

    SeanLyman Light Load Member

    120
    62
    Dec 9, 2012
    0
    Looking at used flatbeds. I have found a few with aluminum frames going cheaper than steel frames. Aside from weight and corrosion, does aluminum have any disadvantages to steel? Are they more prone to cracking? I can't figure out why some steel flats are going for more than aluminum.
     
    SeanLyman, Oct 28, 2018
    SeanLyman, Oct 28, 2018
    #1
    jamespmack Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Oct 28, 2018 #2
    Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

    9,602
    67,009
    Nov 1, 2017
    The Sticks, Idaho
    0
    When it comes time to have repairs that involve welding the bill will be significantly higher on an aluminum frame trailer. And once aluminum starts to crack it continues much faster than steel. Others May have more hands on experience than I do... I'm just giving info that I know from being a metal fabricator for many years.
     
    Cattleman84, Oct 28, 2018
    Cattleman84, Oct 28, 2018
    #2
    CharlieK, Nothereoften, BigBob410 and 5 others Thank this.
  4. Oct 29, 2018 #3
    adayrider

    adayrider Road Train Member

    1,289
    1,732
    May 7, 2018
    0
    It will depend on how old your talking and a little about what brand and a lot about what yoour going to haul on it.
    I would say buy the aluminum without any more info. It will always be worth more when you sell it or even scrap it.
     
    adayrider, Oct 29, 2018
    adayrider, Oct 29, 2018
    #3
    jamespmack and Cattleman84 Thank this.
  5. Oct 30, 2018 #4
    SeanLyman

    SeanLyman Light Load Member

    120
    62
    Dec 9, 2012
    0
    Looking at some late 90's Ravens and Benson's. Plan on hauling logs and palletized stone, mulch etc. Definitely be more weight than bulk.
     
    SeanLyman, Oct 30, 2018
    SeanLyman, Oct 30, 2018
    #4
    jamespmack and Tug Toy Thank this.
  7. Oct 31, 2018 #5
    adayrider

    adayrider Road Train Member

    1,289
    1,732
    May 7, 2018
    0
    That is pretty old for any trailer that has been used its whole life. Good thing is you will be loading the the whole trailer and not concentrated weight of 40-50k in 4-8 feet.
    Aluminum trailers are better made in the mid 2000 though. Bensons suck in the 90's but make a #### good trailer now.
     
    adayrider, Oct 31, 2018
    adayrider, Oct 31, 2018
    #5
    jamespmack and Tug Toy Thank this.
  8. Nov 1, 2018 #6
    jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

    19,160
    207,383
    Mar 25, 2014
    OH
    0
    Don't buy a old ravens unless you like to weld!
     
    jamespmack, Nov 1, 2018
    jamespmack, Nov 1, 2018
    #6
    1johnb, cke, Truckermania and 2 others Thank this.
  9. Nov 1, 2018 #7
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    46,095
    202,115
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    What are you hauling with it?

    I don’t think I would be too comfortable with the idea of loading coils on a used aluminum trailer.
     
    MACK E-6, Nov 1, 2018
    MACK E-6, Nov 1, 2018
    #7
    jamespmack Thanks this.
  10. Nov 2, 2018 #8
    SeanLyman

    SeanLyman Light Load Member

    120
    62
    Dec 9, 2012
    0
    Logs, pallets of stone etc. Coils are not on my list
     
    SeanLyman, Nov 2, 2018
    SeanLyman, Nov 2, 2018
    #8
    cke and jamespmack Thank this.
  11. Nov 2, 2018 #9
    Gumper

    Gumper Road Train Member

    1,475
    3,201
    Jan 7, 2018
    Butte, MT
    0
    My aluminum ‘95 Ravens is holding up well for the torture I’ve put it through. I’ve put 46K in 20’, but I won’t haul coils. Have hauled several loads of stone down logging roads with no issue.
     
    Gumper, Nov 2, 2018
    Gumper, Nov 2, 2018
    #9
    OLDSKOOLERnWV, cke, jamespmack and 1 other person Thank this.
  12. Nov 3, 2018 #10
    Atlaw4u

    Atlaw4u Heavy Load Member

    750
    1,131
    Jun 8, 2018
    0
    I have a 99 Benson that I purchased used. It's holding up well and is in better shape than a lot of the newer steel trailers I looked at when I was shopping.
     
    Atlaw4u, Nov 3, 2018
    Atlaw4u, Nov 3, 2018
    #10
    OLDSKOOLERnWV and cke Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 3